Rotary Club of Frodsham & Helsby - The Helsby Greenwood Club

OPAL - “Older People at Leisure” is a service for those, mostly over 70, living in a rural area who are finding it difficult to get out and about and take part in social activities in their community without the support of others. They run 5 Clubs with one in Helsby, which has 15 members.

Whilst they can’t turn back the years, they encourage their Club members to stay as physically and mentally active as possible by providing companionship, the opportunity to chat and to share a delicious home cooked lunch with others, along with a range of interesting activities including the occasional trip out.

And so it was with great pleasure that two of our Rotary Club members joined the Helsby Greenwood Club members at one of their weekly meeting. They were warmly welcomed by Biddy Mason, Zoë Blocksidge and Pat Carter, along with other volunteers who, over coffee and biscuits, clearly explained the work they do, and the physical and financial problems they face in providing opportunities for members to re-engage with past interests and skills as well as learning from others and trying things out for themselves.

As a result of this visit, we are pleased to say that our Rotary Club recently agreed to give support to the work being done by OPAL in Helsby. Our photograph shows members of the Helsby Greenwood Club at their meeting, and as can be seen, all were highly delighted that we took time out to visit them and provide some financially support for the work being done at this wonderful Club.